dimanche 29 novembre 2015

Like any good Swede I have lit my first Advent candle today. Didn't manage to take an acceptable photo though so I'm posting this one instead, found on the instagram account of bywirth (but obviously you're only allowed to light one candle today ;) ) Happy Sunday!

This Instagram contest is only open to residents in France which is why there is no English translation. One lucky winner will receive storage from Elfa France to a value of 1000€, delivered and installed by Elfa, including a visit by Anna G.

mercredi 25 novembre 2015

At each session, the Maison&Objet fair offers a space of expression to six young and particularly promising designers, allowing them to show their work to professionals from all over the world. I'm thrilled to discover that for the next fair in January, this space will be entirely dedicated to a selection of young Scandinavian designers!
Discover the name of the designers here below and click on the links to see more of their work.

mardi 24 novembre 2015

The home of Maliin Stoor is one of the most creative homes I've ever seen. I actually wrote about it already back in 2010, but was reminded about it today as the house is now up for sale.
More or less everything here is designed by Maliin herself: the architecture of the house, the interiors and some of the furniture. There are loads of creative ideas to be inspired by, starting with the way she has used basic untreated materials like concrete, plywood, MDF and rusty corrugated iron to achieve an original and raw look. Even the old armchairs have been literally stripped to the bone... More photos here.

jeudi 19 novembre 2015

Dark floors and walls make light furniture stand out beautifully, like in this lovely guest room. Wooden tables designed by Nanna Ditzel in 1962. Click here to see more photos from this flat located in Lund in southern Sweden.

mardi 17 novembre 2015

When one of my dear readers shared her touching story in the comment section on yesterday's post about the Paris attacks, she ended with "yes, writing about interior design is futile, but it is a proof that we are alive and kicking". You are absolutely right Françoise. So although my thoughts are still elsewhere, life goes on and I will go back to sharing all those futile things that make life more beautiful.

In the latest issue of Swedish magazine Amelia there's a full page about me and my bedroom... Since most of you can't get hold of the magazine, I'm sharing some pictures here instead. Hope you like them.

lundi 16 novembre 2015

Writing about interior design seems very futile today after the recent events here in Paris.
We were lucky, family and friends are all ok, but some friends of friends and too many others did not have the same luck. Last Friday, it could have been me having that drink on Le Carillon's terrace, it could have been my daughter enjoying a concert at Bataclan, it could have been my son cheering for the French football team at Stade de France. It could have been my friends in any of these locations. These are the things we do, these are the places we go. This is our everyday life.

Today I'm crying for all those who were simply enjoying life that night, but happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. I'm thinking of their family and friends, of those whose lives will never be the same again. We will never forget you.

But our life goes on, and while all I want to do is to keep my children close at all times, I tell them to continue embracing life at the fullest because anything else would be to give in to those who want to stop us from doing so.
As Martin Luther King Jr. said:

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

mercredi 11 novembre 2015

Soft and chic, velvet is one of the key materials this season. Mix it with details in shiny brass to achieve a trendy art deco look, or with ethnic elements for a more bohemian style. Below I've selected six pieces of Scandinavian design to be inspired by, from the investment sofa to the more affordable cushion.

vendredi 6 novembre 2015

There are so many things to like about this studio flat: the dark wooden floor, the grey wall (and the fact that the door is painted in the same colour), the mix of design pieces and flea market finds, the picture wall, the black window frames, the cosy sleeping corner... See more pictures here.

mercredi 4 novembre 2015

Remember my bloggers design tour to London last spring? Well there is one place that I haven't told you about yet and that is Heal's. The famous department store was founded by John Harris Heal in 1810, introducing French style feather-filled mattresses to London's homeowners. Today Heal's is a veritable design institution, filled with contemporary furniture and lighting.

Heal's design journey through two centuries is actually quite fascinating, from the Arts & Crafts style furniture designed by Ambroise Heal in the late 1800 (classified 'prison furniture' by the salespeople in the store...) to the textile expertise gained during the 2nd world while making parachutes... Read more about Heal's heritage here.

mardi 3 novembre 2015

Colour of the year 2016 for Dulux, golden ochre is everywhere right now. This warm hue works perfectly with neutral shades of white, grey and beige, or together with wood, but also with dusty hues of soft pink and green, or with petrol blue. Here's a selection of six nice products of Scandinavian design that will add a golden touch to your interior this winter.